Ambassador Hassan Taherian of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul said:“We always particularly value and support business relations between our two countries. Korean companies have a long record of involvement and successful activity in Iranian market and working in many infrastructure and construction projects in Iran.” Ambassador Taherian made these remarks at a reception he and Madam Taherian hosted at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Feb. 10, 2017 in celebration of the 38th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

Then he said, “The Korean companies enjoy a very good reputation as the reliable and confident partner and this is a valuable asset for their future activity in the Iranian market.

From left: Minister of Land, Infrastructure & Transport Kang Hoin, Ambassador Hassan Taherian of Iran in Seoul and Mayor Choi Yang-sik of the Gyeongju City of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

“Iran and Korea,” stated Ambassador Taheirian, “enjoy strong economic ties with bilateral trade totaling roughly US$8.357 billion in 2016 and definitely the dimension of economic cooperation and the volume of bilateral trade will increase this year compared with the last year.”

Ambassador Taherian completed his remarks on the Korean-Iranian relations by saying, “Tehran and Seoul, once experienced an economic boom in the 1970s and I believe that a second boom period for both countries can be triggered in near future and that this can turn the bilateral economic relations of Iran and Korea into a deeper strategic partnership.” (See excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Taherian toward the end of this article.—Ed.)

Ambassador Taherian’s address was followed by congratulatory remarks by Mayor Choi. He said in part: “2017 is the year of “Iran-Korea Year of Cultural Exchange. And also Isfahan city in Iran and Gyeongju city in Korea are holding the ‘2017Silkroad Iran-Korea Culture Festival’ in Isfahan from March 11 to March 14 in 2017.” (See excerpts from his speech at the end of this Report.—Ed.)

An estimated total of nearly 500 distinguished guests attended the function from all walks of life as well as from the Seoul Diplomatic Corp and other segments of international community in Seoul. They included Minister of Land, Infrastructure & Transport Kang Hoin, Mayor Choi Yang-sik of the Gyeongju City of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Korean Taekwon-do Master Kang Shin-chul and Publish-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media.

Mayor Choi Yang-sik of the Gyeongju City of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (left) speaks to the guests at the Iranian National Day reception. In the center is Minister of Land, Infrastructure & Transport Kang Hoin and at right is Ambassador Taherian of Iran in Seoul.

Attracting the attention of the guests, among other things at the party venue were a number of historical-cultural objects on display, which attracted Korean and international guests interested in culture and history.

Excerpts from the welcome speech of Ambassador Taherian of Iran:

I am honored to welcome you all, especially the respected Minister, at the celebration of the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We meet today to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran that falls on 11th of February.

38 years ago, the people of my country in a series of massive demonstrations and popular political movements under the wise leadership of Imam Khomeini overthrew the brutal and dictatorial regime of Pahlavi and elected and established the new system of the Islamic Republic which is based on the will of the people and reliant on the Islamic ideals and beliefs.

Ambassador Taherian of Iran in Seoul, Minister of Land, Infrastructure & Transport Kang Hoin and Mayor Choi Yang-sik of the Gyeongju City of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (13th, 14th and 16th from left, respectively) cut a large celebration cake at the reception venue with other ambassadors and distinguished Korean and international guests.

During past 38 years, a large number of general elections such as the parliament, presidential and the city council ones have been held in Iran and in near future a new Presidential election is due to be held in May and Iranian people will once again go to the polls to choose their own President.

Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest major continuous civilizations and Persian civilization and rich culture undoubtedly contributed significantly to the world civilization and marked an important epoch in the history of human being in the world.

During the past 38 years after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Iran despite of facing with many challenges (like the imposed war against Iran by Saddam Regime in Iraq, unjustified sanctions against Iran peaceful nuclear program and etc.), made its way to progress, in all aspects.

Our Government has taken major strides to take the country forward to more economic stability and growth and our overall economic framework now explicitly emphasizes resilience and Iran is quiet determined to create a new momentum in economic activities and to achieve an average 8% economic growth over next five years. To this end, Iran is well prepared to expand its economic relations with all countries.

Ambassador Ramzi Teymurov of Azerbaijan (second from left) speaks with Mayor Mayor Choi Yang-sik of the Gyeongju City of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media (third from left and fourth from left, respectively).

The Islamic Republic of Iran is like a bridge in the heart of the region linking the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, as well as the east and the west Asia together. Therefore, its security and stability can have undeniable effect on the entire unstable Middle East region and west Asia. That’s why, peaceful coexistence, promotion of bilateral relations and extensive regional and international cooperation are seriously pursued in Iran's foreign policy.

Today, Iran complying with these principles in its foreign policy, is a stable and secure country in the region.

Nowadays, unfortunately, the Middle East region faces with some challenges such as war in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and etc, that have created misunderstandings and conflicts between some countries in the region. Extremism and terrorism has become the big challenges in regional and global level.

Iran, itself a victim of terrorism since the early days of the Revolution, believes in the imperative of decisive, comprehensive and collective regional and international response to this menace and its underlying enabling conditions.

Special edition of the regular-sized Korean-language newspaper of The Korea Post media dated Feb. 10, 2016 featured the Islamic Republic of Iran National Day exclusively on the front and second pages of the issue of the day. The Iran feature was also published in the English language on the English Section on the 17th and 18th pages of the same issue. Hundreds of copies of the Korean-language newspaper of The Korea Post that day were put on display on the table at the entrance of the party venue for every guest to “Take One.”

While such forces as Daesh and its offshoots must be effectively debilitated and defeated, meaningful restoration of peace and stability to West Asia and particularly the Persian Gulf region, hinges on the promotion of a set of common principles of mutual understanding and collective regional security cooperation.

Iran and Korea established the diplomatic relations in 1962. Throughout these years, the two countries have always enjoyed and maintained friendly and strong relationship. The Iranian officials always expressed their positive view toward South Korea and supported the expansion of bilateral relations in all area. Fortunately, we have had a number of official meetings during the last year. Among them and most important, we have witnessed the visit of Her Excellency Madame Park to Tehran which was the first-ever visit by a Korean President to Iran. Surely, we will reciprocate and consider to arrange the visit of Iranian high officials to Korea.

As far as the trade relation between the two countries is concerned, we always particularly value and support business relations between our two countries. Korean companies have a long record of involvement and successful activity in Iranian market and working in many infrastructure and construction projects in Iran. They enjoy a very good reputation as the reliable and confident partner and this is a valuable asset for their future activity in the Iranian market. Iran and Korea enjoy strong economic ties with bilateral trade total roughly US $.8.357 billion dollars in 2016. Definitely, the dimension of economic cooperation and the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries will increase in this year of 2017, comparing with the last year.

Ambassador Taeherian (behind rostrum) speaks to the guests. He said in part: “We always particularly value and support business relations between our two countries. Korean companies have a long record of involvement and successful activity in Iranian market and working in many infrastructure and construction projects in Iran.”8 Ice logo work at the reception venue.

Tehran and Seoul, once experienced an economic boom in the 1970s and I believe that a second boom period for both countries can be triggered in near future.

This can turn the bilateral economic relations of Iran and Korea into a deeper strategic partnership.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you, for your attendance in our reception and hope you enjoy your time with us, today.

Excerpts from the speech of Mayor Choi Yang-sik:

I sincerely congratulate the 38th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and also I would like to express my gratitude for the kind invitation.

2017 is the year of “Iran-Korea Year of Cultural Exchange.” And also the Isfahan city in Iran and the Gyeongju city of Korea are holding the “2017 Silk Road Iran-Korea Culture Festival” in the Isfahan City in Iran from March 11 to March 14 this year.

Artifacts on display on a table at the reception venue. They show a part of the historical-culture splendor of Iran.

I would like to take this opportunity to solicit your kind interest and cooperation in our event entitled “2017 Silk Road Iran-Korea Culture Festival” which consists of various interesting events such as concerts, exhibitions, symposiums and company promotions.